What is Community
Connections?
Learning Centers &
Activities
Community Connections offers quality
afterschool opportunities for students
and adults of all ages in Berlin, Calais,
East Montpelier, Middlesex, Montpelier
and Worcester.
The learning centers offer students a
balance of educational, enrichment, and lifeskill building opportunities. Each learning
center includes afterschool and adult learning
activities, offering programming whenever
school is not in session.
Project History
During the summer of 2000, school and
community members from the U-32 and
Montpelier school districts met to discuss
how to tackle the issues of unsupervised
children and risky behavior in our community.
With most parents working at least 9 to 5,
few moms or dads have time to supervise
their kids after school – to plan educational
and social activities, help their children with
homework, and provide creative outlets to
keep their kids out of trouble.
After a series of community meetings, a
21st Century Community Learning Center
grant was written. Two community-based
organizations, Washington Central Friends of
Education and Montpelier Downtown
Community Organization collaborated with
Washington Central Supervisory Union and
Montpelier Public Schools on this project.
In June 2001 we received the highly
competitive grant from the US Department
of Education! Now in its third year,
Community Connections runs nine learning
centers in Montpelier, Berlin, Calais, East
Montpelier, Middlesex and Worcester.
How to Participate or Get
More Information
If you are interested in taking a course or
getting involved with Community Connections
please contact Director, Ginny Burley, or one
of the site Coordinators, or visit our website:
www.communityconnections.us
Coordinator Contacts:
Berlin Elementary
Jenni Hurner, 223-4088
Calais Elementary
Erin McDermott, 454-7777 ext. 348
Doty Memorial (Worcester)
Kim Bolduc, 223-5656 ext. 134
During the past year, Community
Connections served 908 elementary aged
youth, 755 middle and high school aged youth
and 438 adults in 514 different activities.
“Community Connections is my reward for
being in school all day,” says a Calais
Elementary student. Afterschool programs
keep kids safe, help working families, and
improve academic achievement.
Girls First/Boyz First!
Mentoring Program
A collaboration of Community Connections,
Woman Centered and Central Vermont New
Directions Coalition, Girls/Boyz First matches
community volunteers with 10-14 year old
youth to make positive change in their lives.
East Montpelier Elementary
Guy Viens, 223-7936 ext. 305
Main Street Middle School
Drew McNaughton, 225-8678
Montpelier High School
Ben Cheney, 225-8070
Rumney Elementary (Middlesex)
Ann Gilbert, 223-5429 ext. 322
Union Elementary
Drew McNaughton, 225-8678
U-32
Erin McDermott, 229-0321 ext. 5322
Our Vision:
Community Connections fosters
collaboration between the schools and
communities of Montpelier and WCSU to
work in partnership with organizations
and community members to:
Provide expanded learning
enrichment opportunities for all
children and adults
Increase healthy behaviors
Expand the schools’ role as a
community resource
Youth Outreach Coordinator
The Youth Outreach Coordinator works
with out-of-school youth and those who are at
risk of dropping out of school. The youth are
recommended by school guidance counselors,
administrators, law enforcement and others in
the schools and community. The Coordinator
spends time with each of them exploring
alternative education options, employment
opportunities and other healthy life choices.
Ways to be Involved


Take a course

Teach a course

Be on a council

Be a volunteer

Be a mentor

Be a tutor

Assist staff

Chaperone a field trip
“Community Connections has certainly
fulfilled one of our main goals – to enrich
the lives of children, and to provide the
school as a learning center. I think our
community sees it as an important part
of the school,” Carol Randall, Principal of
East Montpelier Elementary School.
Community
Connections
Learning Centers:
Berlin Elementary
Calais Elementary
Doty Memorial (Worcester)
East Montpelier Elementary
Rumney Elementary (Middlesex)
Montpelier High School
Main St. Middle School
Union Elementary (Montpelier)
U-32 Middle and High School
Ginny Burley, Director
Heather Pagel, Administrative Assistant
Wendy Farber, Mentor Coordinator
Danny Hendershot, Youth Outreach
Coordinator
Bill Merrylees, PEP Fitness Initiative
Coordinator
Michelle Hughes, Development Director
Deb Wolf, Communications
58 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
802-223-3456, fax: 223-1957
www.communityconnections.us